Episode 27: What you need to know about birth pools

In this episode of the Nourishing Birth and Beyond podcast, I explore the use of birth pools during labour, highlighting their ability to provide comfort and ease through buoyancy and warmth. I discuss the practical aspects, such as clothing choices and the availability of birth pools in various birthing settings, including home births and birth centers. I want to emphasise the importance of advocating for personal birthing preferences and I address common concerns, such as those related to body mass index. The episode encourages expectant parents to consider birth pools as a beneficial option for a positive and empowering birthing experience.

In this episode of the podcast I talk about:

• The benefits of using a birth pool during labour
• The options you have for accessing a birth pool
• Tips, such as what to wear, to get the most out of using a birth pool
• How to communicate your birth preferences, including use of a birth pool
• The myth that you cannot use a birth pool if you have a high BMI

Sound bites from this episode:

“Having this big tub around you helps you kind of snuggle in. Just your head’s popping up and it allows your privacy and your space so you can move around freely.”

“In a lot of birth centres, there are birth pools in each room, so that’s something to find out about.”

“If you are giving birth at home, that is a guaranteed way to have a birth pool.”

“There’s no reason why if you have a higher BMI that you can’t use a birth pool.”